A method for managing a fronthaul network in a wireless communication system, the fronthaul network comprising several distributed units and one or more central units, is proposed. The method comprises: performing fronthaul network dynamic configuration on the fronthaul network, the fronthaul network dynamic configuration comprising, at a controller of the wireless communication system: obtaining information indicating a positioning of the mobile terminal, obtaining, based on the information indicating a positioning of the mobile terminal, a set of one or more active distributed units among the plurality of distributed units, determining first associations between each of the active distributed units and one or more first respective central units of the one or more central units, and configuring communication links between each of the active distributed units and their first respective one or more central units according to the determined first associations.
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2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring communication links between each of the active distributed processors and their respective one or more central processors comprises activating and/or deactivating connections in a matrix of available connections among the several distributed processors and one or more central processors of the fronthaul network.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the associations comprises determining associations that increase a data communication throughput between the mobile terminal and the fronthaul network.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fronthaul network dynamic configuration further comprises: configuring radio parameters of the active distributed processors to configure the active distributed processors as a Single Frequency Network.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the associations comprises determining associations that increase and/or adapt a fronthaul network resiliency for data communications between the mobile terminal and the fronthaul network.
This invention relates to improving the resiliency of fronthaul networks in wireless communication systems. Fronthaul networks connect mobile terminals (such as base stations or small cells) to core network elements, and their reliability is critical for maintaining seamless data communication. The invention addresses the challenge of ensuring robust and adaptable fronthaul connectivity, particularly in dynamic or high-demand scenarios where network disruptions or congestion can degrade performance. The method involves analyzing and establishing associations within the fronthaul network to enhance its resiliency. These associations may include dynamic routing adjustments, redundancy mechanisms, or load-balancing strategies that adapt to changing network conditions. By continuously assessing the network's state, the system identifies optimal configurations that mitigate potential failures or bottlenecks, ensuring uninterrupted data flow between mobile terminals and the fronthaul infrastructure. The approach may also incorporate predictive analytics to anticipate disruptions and preemptively adjust connections, further improving reliability. The solution is particularly valuable in dense urban deployments or high-traffic environments where network stability is paramount.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information indicating a positioning of the mobile terminal comprises measurements related to a location of the mobile terminal and/or a speed of the mobile terminal, and/or a direction of movement of the mobile terminal.
This invention relates to mobile terminal positioning and tracking, addressing the need for accurate and dynamic location data to support navigation, emergency services, and location-based applications. The method involves determining the positioning of a mobile terminal by analyzing measurements related to its location, speed, and direction of movement. These measurements can include GPS coordinates, signal strength data from cellular or Wi-Fi networks, inertial sensor readings, or other positioning techniques. By combining these inputs, the system provides real-time or near-real-time updates on the terminal's position, velocity, and trajectory. The method enhances accuracy by incorporating multiple data sources and compensating for environmental factors such as signal interference or sensor drift. This approach is particularly useful for applications requiring precise tracking, such as autonomous vehicle navigation, asset management, or personal safety monitoring. The system may also predict future positions based on current movement patterns, improving responsiveness in dynamic environments. The invention ensures reliable positioning even in challenging conditions, such as urban canyons or indoor spaces, by dynamically adjusting measurement priorities and fusion algorithms.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fronthaul network dynamic configuration further comprises: transmitting fronthaul network configuration information to the mobile terminal, wherein the fronthaul network configuration information comprises information indicating the set of one or more active distributed processors.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein an iteration of the fronthaul network dynamic configuration loop is executed periodically.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein a trajectory of the mobile terminal is divided into portions, and wherein an iteration of the fronthaul network dynamic configuration loop is executed for each portion of the trajectory.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fronthaul network dynamic configuration further comprises: determining second associations between at least one of the measurement distributed processors and one or more second respective central processors of the one or more central processors, and configuring communication links between each of the at least one measurement distributed processors and their second respective one or more central processors according to the determined second associations.
13. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and network interfaces to communicate in a wireless communication system, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the method according to claim 1.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program code, said computer program code comprising instructions to, when provided to a computer system and executed, cause said computer to perform the method according to claim 1.
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August 23, 2019
November 1, 2022
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